Do Aphrodesiacs Work? This Valentine's Day, Try These Foods and Scents

Do aphrodisiac foods actually work? And which ones should you choose to eat? This Valentine's Day, we've taken a look at exactly what happens to your body when you eat these foods, and have pinpointed which ones you should eat to boost your mood.

Aphrodisiacs have been used by every culture from the ancient Persians to the Aztecs to boost sexual desire. And while there certainly is a placebo effect for many of these foods, some actually do have some truth to them that can contribute to physical arousal.

There may be some basis, for example, for Valentine's Day chocolate. Scientists have found that dark chocolate can boost dopamine, which results in pleasure. Dopamine is actually a hormone and neurotransmitter. It's a chemical that's released by nerve cells and sends signals to other nerve cells, and plays a major role in reward-motivated behavior. For the best benefits, though, you'll probably want to look at chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa.

Another food you may want to try this Valentine's is the oyster. This seafood actually contains high levels of zinc, which may improve sex drive by boosting testosterone production. Oysters also contain tyrosine, which is a nutrient that aids in the production of dopamine. Low levels of this chemical are also known to impact libido.

And it's not just foods that may impact the chemicals in your body. Certain smells might also increase sexual arousal. In fact, scientists have found that in males, the scents of lavender and pumpkin pie increased blood flow to the penis by 40 percent. In women, the combination of cucumber and licorice was the most effective.

So do aphrodisiacs work? They do in many cases. Most of them are aphrodisiacs due to their ability to boost levels of dopamine, which is a "feel-good" chemical. This Valentine's Day, try a bit of chocolate and some oysters to set the mood-and don't forget to get a lavender or licorice-scented candle.

 For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).